Voice of America
23 Jan 2023, 15:37 GMT+10
Geneva - The World Health Organization is calling for the total elimination of trans fat - an artificial toxic chemical commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils, and spreads which is responsible for half a million premature deaths each year.
WHO reports 5 billion people are being exposed to this toxic product, increasing their risk of heart disease and death.
Tom Frieden, the president and chief executive officer of the public health initiative Resolve to Save Lives, said that the global elimination of trans fat from food could prevent up to 17 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 2040.
Frieden also spoke of the importance of distinguishing artificial trans fat, "which is a toxic chemical, which has no valid use in the food supply and should be eliminated," from saturated fat, which he called "an inherent part of many food groups in which nobody is proposing to ban."
To put it simply, Frieden said, "Think of artificial trans fat as the tobacco of nutrition. It has no values."
New Zealand Imposes Lifetime Ban on Youth Buying Cigarettes
Progress has been made since 2018 when the WHO set a goal for the global elimination of trans fat in 2023. It says 43 countries now have implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans fat in food, thus protecting 2.8 billion people from heart disease and death.
To Frieden, however, that still leaves 5 billion people at risk from the devastating health impacts of trans fat. He said governments can stop these preventable deaths by enacting WHO's best-practice policies.
He noted several countries, especially Mexico, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, are very close to passing these lifesaving policies. According to him, all they need is a simple push to get them over the finish line.
"Policy wins in one country can help encourage other countries to take action," Frieden noted. "We hope that leaders such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines will be examples for all of the South and Southeast Asia region, and we hope that Nigeria, along with South Africa, which has already banned trans fat, will be a leader for Africa."
Friedan said experience shows the industry can adapt, innovate and replace trans fat with healthy alternatives. It is just a few large companies who continue to manufacture a toxic product.
Friedan added that these companies will come into line when they see the days of trans fat are numbered.
WHO reports most trans fat elimination policies have been implemented in high-income countries, mainly in the Americas and Europe, and that an increasing number of middle-income countries are following suit. As of now, however, no low-income countries have done so.
Get a daily dose of Vietnam Tribune news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Vietnam Tribune.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump says the United States could soon reach a trade deal with India. He believes this deal would...
(250709) -- KAMPONG CHAM, July 9, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (front) plants a tree during the celebration...
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 9 (ANI): An Amarnath Yatra pilgrim from the Philippines, who is a member of the Indian diaspora,...
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF has for the first time introduced the...
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Former Australian fast bowler Gordon Rorke passed away at the age of 87. Rorke, known for his towering...
LHASA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- At an apple base in Bepa Town of Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, which sits at an altitude...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...
DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
ZAGREB, Croatia: A massive concert by popular Croatian singer Marko Perković, known by his stage name Thompson, has drawn widespread...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Elon Musk's entry into the political arena is drawing pushback from top U.S. officials and investors, as his decision...
CULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term shylock is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in...